Ultimate Decades Challenge

Mackenzie | she/her | 30 Playing the Ultimate Decades Challenge by Morbid Gamer (Kosmic's Version) on The Sims 4. Current Family: The Hazelwood Family (1300s)

[mack-simmer]

hello!

welcome to my ultimate decades challenge! i'm mackenzie and i love history and the sims.

this blog will be devoted to the hazelwood legacy and will take place from 1300 to modern times.

disclaimers: i am not a historian so not everything will be historically accurate! because of the nature of this challenge, there will be heavy themes such as illness, war, death, poverty, and other forms of hardship.

from the beginning | family tree (spoilers)

gen 1: matilda & oliver | gen: 2: alaric & margery | gen 3: edward & emmaline

thanks for stopping by <3

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1355

It's now 1355 on the Hazelwood farm and I can't believe we're over halfway to the next century with this family! Being the oldest child in the family, Anastasia spends most of her time finding ways to entertain herself with different games. I think she's in desperate need of some friends her age.

Emmaline and Edward find themselves expecting another baby, three years after the death of their heir, Simon.

And someone else is pregnant, too. Corina, the baker's daughter, showed up at the farm and confessed to being pregnant with Peter's baby. The family was understandably upset and disappointed in their son, and they decided that Corina would stay on the farm until giving birth.

Knowing they would have to get married now, Peter and Corina spent time trying to get to know each other better.

Meanwhile, over in the Sanderson household, the twins Ranulf and Benedict aged into infants.

At the end of the year, Emmaline went into labor and gave birth to a boy, their new heir, Finnian Hazelwood.

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1354

At the beginning of 1354, Petra had a birthday and aged into a toddler! She has the independent trait and loves to explore the farm by herself, always bothering the chickens and cow.

Peter, now sixteen, started seeing the local bakers' daughter, Corina.

They met together in secret, knowing their parents wouldn't approve of their unsupervised time together, and got up to all sorts of things...

Meanwhile, in the Holmes household, Samuel and Pavia had a baby boy, which they named Hamlin. The baby is healthy, but Pavia is definitely struggling with being a new mom. Thankfully she has Mabel there to help her.

In the Sanderson house, Faye had her baby as well! Well, babies. She had triplets! The three boys are named Ranulf, Benedict, and Raymond. Unfortunately, Raymond did not survive long after birth, leaving Faye and Gail with two sons.

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1353

Zelda found herself expecting her first child at the beginning of 1353. Her and Lord Henry are more in love than ever and are so excited to welcome the baby.

Anastasia struggled with the loss of her brother Simon just like the rest of her family. Life kept moving, however, and the family tried to make her birthday special immense their grief.

She aged into a child and was given the timid trait, which I think fits her well after witnessing the death of her little brother.

A few months into the year, Alaric and Margery find Faye a husband. His name is Gael Sanderson and he is about twenty years older than Faye, a recent widow after losing his wife during the plague. His first wife was never able to bear children. Now, he hopes that his marriage to Faye will finally bless him with the family he has always desired.

They marry soon after and Faye moves to his small farm.

By the end of the year, Gael's prayers were answered and Faye is expecting her first child.

Around the same time, Zelda has her son: Lord Arne of Windenburg.

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1352

tw: death

At the beginning of the year Petra aged up into an infant and she is the cutest! She's definitely a daddy's girl and only wants to be held by Edward.

Samuel also returned from war safe and sound, having aged into a young adult while he was gone. Him and Mabel returned to their home together. Soon after that, he married a girl from the village, Pavia.

We also had a wedding! Zelda and Lord Henry married on the Hazelwood farm, and soon moved into a small manor home together.

Later in the year, Simon aged into a toddler. Unfortunately he fell ill soon after and succumbed to his illness.

The family was devastated. Emmaline and Edward fell into a state of immense grief at the loss of their child.

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1351

In 1351 Emmaline discovers that she's pregnant again, and Anastasia is beyond excited to have another little brother or sister!

Peter ages up into a teen and starts to help more on the farm, as well as ventures out into the village to run errands for his family and neighbors.

Faye gets told by her parents that since she's almost 20, it's time for her to get married and start her own family. Margery and Alaric are now set on finding a husband for her, though she's not too happy about it...

Anastasia is an outdoorsy girl through and through, and is always on the farm trying to help her family. Mostly she just steals eggs and tries to hug the chickens.

Emmaline goes into labor towards the end of the year and has a healthy baby girl, whom they name Petra.

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1350, part 2

Later in the year, the Hazelwood's celebrated a couple birthdays. Anastasia aged up into a toddler and is obsessed with her aunt Faye.

Simon aged up into an infant with the intense trait.

Back in the house of Windenburg, Lord Edmund was arguing with his son, Henry, over the kiss he shared with Zelda. He told him how he has brought shame to his family and that Henry must renounce his status as heir to the family name. His younger brother, Lord John, will now be heir. Henry agreed to this and told his father that he would be marrying Zelda.

Zelda found Henry later and Henry told her the news. Although she knows how hard this will be for Henry, she is still glad to be able to marry him. They are to have a private wedding on the Hazelwood farm, and then they will move into a small manor house together nearby.

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1350, part 1

we're throwing all historical accuracy out the window with this one lol

In 1350, Mabel moved back onto the Hazelwood farm while Samuel was still off fighting in the war. Although she was sad and grieving, she enjoyed getting to know her niece and nephews better.

Peter, however, being the youngest of Alaric and Margery's children, was starting to feel left out and forgotten. With his older brother Edward having children, he was no longer the baby of the family and didn't get as much attention anymore. He started acting out, getting into trouble and arguing with his parents.

During the spring of 1350, the noble house of Windenburg put together a festival for the nearby villages, which included a jousting tournament with his son and heir, Lord Henry.

The family was able to reunite with Zelda for a little while, as well enjoy playing games, dancing, and even a puppet show.

Lord Henry, who is a very proficient rider, won the jousting tournament easily.

After watching Lord Henry win, Zelda presented him with a tournament favor, a flower crown she had crafted herself. Overcome with excitement and affection, Henry leaned over and kissed Zelda for the entire village to see, including his parents. It was sure to be a scandal they would have to deal with.

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1349

A bright spot arrives after the tragedies of the year before when Emmaline finds herself expecting another baby!

Emmaline and Edward soak up as much time as they can with Anastasia before their new baby arrives.

The rest of the family continues to grieve Randolf and Conrad, especially Faye who is also missing her sister, Zelda.

Zelda has been working for the Noble House of Windenburg. At only seventeen, she is grateful for the experience she's had working for this kind family, she also deeply misses her family and doesn't know how they faired when she heard of the sickness that spread through the kingdom.

The house of Windenburg is made up of Earl Edmund and Lady Blanche, and their children Lord Henry and Lord John.

Zelda spends her days cooking, cleaning, and attending to the needs of the family.

In her small amount of free time, she enjoys sitting in the courtyard, where she is often joined by Lord Henry. She knows that anything between them could never actually happen, but she's come to think of him as a friend. Lord Henry finds that Zelda always makes him laugh, and he likes to hear about her stories from the farm and about her family.

Back at the Hazelwood farm, Emmaline is taking care of Anastasia when she goes into labor!

She gives birth to a healthy baby boy, who will be the next heir of the Hazelwood legacy. They name him Simon Hazelwood.

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1348 - the black plague

tw: sickness & death

Early in 1348, sickness fell upon the Hazelwood farm, like so many other households in the kingdom.

Margery fell ill and spent her days in bed in a feverish haze. Alaric spent as much time as he could by her side, caring for her as best he could.

When the sickness spread through the house and Randolf also fell ill, the family sent for a doctor. Margery and Randolf were then quarantined in the house, and the other family members were not allowed to see them.

The rest of the family spent their days trying to keep up with the endless tasks while praying that their mother and brother would be alright.

Anastasia turned one, and Emmaline was so fearful of her falling ill that she basically quarantined themselves into their small room.

Over in the Holmes household, the plague hit both Conrod and Thomas. The sickness progressed quickly, and before Mabel could even call for the doctor, they both succumbed to their illness.

Mabel was devasted. With Samuel currently fighting in a war, she was now alone in her home. She wanted to go live with her family but was unable to until there was no more sickness in the house.

Back in the Hazelwood home, Randolf unfortunately also succumbed to his illness, leaving the family in grief once again. Alaric was mourning his son while fearful of his wife's fate.

However, towards the end of the year, Margery saw some improvement. It seemed the worse of the illness had passed and although she was very weak, she was slowly getting better. She was of course grateful for her health, but couldn't help but feel immense guilt at the death of her son.

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1347

In 1347, Emmaline discovers that she and Edward are expecting their first child. They are both overcome with joy and can't wait to start their family.

Unfortunately, the king requires more men to be sent off to war. Samuel is chosen, leaving his mother and uncle. They don't know how long he'll be gone or if he will even come back, and Mabel is devastated after losing first her daughter, then her husband, and now possibly her son.

Emmaline has a rough pregnancy, and tries to get sleep whenever and wherever she can.

Late in the year, she goes into labor. Her and Edward have a healthy baby girl, and name her Anastasia Hazelwood.

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1346 - the start of gen. 3!

After two tragic losses last year, the Hazelwood's continued to grieve while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy on the farm.

Randolf was now seventeen, and his parents had found a suitable match for him in a nearby village. He was to marry Auden McDowell once he was of age. Their families got together to finalize the agreement and celebrate the match.

With Randolf and Edward both engaged to be married, Margery tried to soak up as much time with her children as she could.

Soon it was time for Edward and Emmaline to be wed. The ceremony was lovely, with half the village showing up to celebrate.

They are blissfully happy together and can't wait to start their new family!

A bit later in the year, Zelda received the opportunity to work for a noble family in their nearby manor, and soon left the farm for this new life.

Faye, however, wanted no such life. She chose to stay on the farm, where she loved spending her days outside and with her family. If it was up to her, she would stay here forever.

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1345

The new year starts off with the twins, Zelda and Faye, aging into teens! Edward also aged up into a young adult.

In the midst of the birthday celebrations however, Alaric found his mother, Matilda, collapsed in her home. She had unfortunately passed.

Matilda was buried next to her husband, Oliver, and the family mourned the great loss. Her death marks the end of the first generation.

RIP Matilda Hazelwood, 1280 - 1345

The death of Matilda brought back old feelings of her father for Emmaline. Edward often found her sitting by herself on the farm. He always joined her. Sometimes they would sit in silence, sometimes they would talk about life, death, and everything in between.

Edward had already known he would marry Emmaline, but it was in these moments he realized he might be in love with her. They decided they would wed in the next year.

Unfortunately for the Holmes family, Mabel and Samuel were met with another tragedy. Nicholas had been in an accident, and sadly passed away.

With Mabel and Samuel alone now, Conrad made the decision to return permanently to live with her. Thomas joined them as well.

Towards the end of the year, the Hazelwood and Holmes families reunited. The siblings mourned the loss of their mother and Mabel's husband, but at least they had each other.

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1344

In 1344, Peter ages up into a child! He's now 6 years old.

Edward talks to his parents and tells them that he would like to marry Emmaline. He knows that there would be no dowry, but he enjoys spending time with her and knows that she won't have many options because of her situation.

His parents agree, they really love Emmaline too! Emmaline is overcome with relief at the proposal. She knows without the Hazelwoods, she would be homeless and have to try to find some way to make money on her own.

Edward and Emmaline spend more time together, getting to know each other.

The family celebrates St. Valentine's Day towards the beginning of the year, and romance is in the air for all the couples! Margery and Alaric are seen suspiciously coming out of the animal shed... 👀

The whole family comes by to spend time together, sharing food and hanging out by the fire.

Overall, it's a pretty good year for the Hazelwood family!

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1343

We're starting 1343 in the Holmes household where Nicholas has also returned from war! Conrad stays for a bit longer before heading back to Thomas in Windenburg. He also ages up into an adult and celebrates his 40th birthday.

Samuel Holmes also ages into a teen!

Back at the Hazelwood's, Edward and Emmaline get to know each other better. Emmaline loves playing pranks and making him laugh. Edward isn't quite sure what to make of her, and has never met a girl like Emmaline before.

1343 overall is a pretty quiet year for the family. Edward learns more about herbalism from his mother. Alaric tries to spend as much time with his kids as possible, especially Peter.

The twins are always having fun somewhere on the farm, and they've enjoyed getting to know Emmaline and having another girl in the house.

Gen 3 will be starting in a couple years, so I wanted to get a family portrait of Gen 2 before Edward ages up! :)

[mack-simmer]

1342

1342 begins with a nice surprise for the Hazelwoods when Alaric returns home!

Of course, Alaric was met with the sad news that his father had passed a year after he was sent off to war. It was a bittersweet feeling to see his family after so long while also grieving the loss. Seeing everything that Edward has done to keep the farm afloat made him so proud.

He also got to meet his newest son, little 4-year-old Peter, for the first time. Again, it was a bittersweet feeling of happiness at meeting his son, but sadness of missing the first four years of his life.

Life at the farm settled back to normal and the family felt content again with Alaric finally home.

One day, Edward stumbled upon a girl outside of their farm while he was on a walk. It was the girl he met a few years ago in the woods! She was sitting alone, looking half-starved and filthy. He sat down with her to try and find out what happened to her.

She said that her father had been sent off to war and never returned. She couldn't afford to keep their house and did not have anywhere to live. Edward found out that her name is Emmaline Alcott.

He told her that she should return with him to his home, where his family would let her stay for however long she needed to. Overcome with relief, she jumped into a hug.

Emmaline returned home with Edward, where the Hazelwoods welcomed her with open arms.

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1341

After a short break, we're back at the Hazelwood farm in the year 1341!

Alaric has been at war for four years now and his absence is still being felt in the household. No one knows if he's even still alive and they worry about his wellbeing constantly. They can only hope that the war ends soon.

Peter ages into a toddler and is a quiet, but happy child. His older siblings all help to take care of him.

At the end of the year, the family all come together to celebrate Christmas.

Matilda gathers them around the fire to share stories of those who are gone, and the family time lifts everyone's spirits before entering the new year.